Displaying items by tag: United Kingdom

TV personality David Harper, known for Bargain Hunt and Antiques Roadshow, spent much of his life sceptical of Christianity, influenced by atheism in his upbringing, and drawn instead to alternative spiritual paths. Despite professional success, he found fame and material gain deeply unsatisfying, leaving him searching for meaning. The turning point came through his daughter’s remarkable recovery from severe depression after encountering Jesus. Motivated to investigate, he undertook an eleven-month intellectual exploration of Christianity, applying the same rigour he used in historical research. He concluded that creation points to an intelligent designer and became persuaded of the historical reality of the resurrection. However, it was not evidence alone that changed him, but the undeniable transformation he saw in lives - including his daughter’s and eventually his own. Harper now describes himself as born again, finding deep joy, purpose, and fulfilment in a personal relationship with Jesus - something he believes surpasses all worldly success.

Keir Starmer has travelled to Saudi Arabia to engage with Gulf allies following the two-week ceasefire between the USA and Iran. Although the visit was planned prior to the ceasefire announcement, it now carries added significance as diplomatic efforts focus on securing a lasting peace and reopening the vital Strait of Hormuz. Starmer said that while the ceasefire has brought a sense of relief, much work remains to ensure stability and restore freedom of navigation. He underlined the importance of keeping energy supplies flowing to stabilise global markets and UK prices. During his visit, he is also meeting British military personnel stationed in the region, expressing gratitude for their role in protecting national and allied interests. The prime minister reaffirmed the UK’s position of not becoming directly involved in the conflict without a lawful and strategic basis, prioritising national interests, long-term planning, and international cooperation in a complex and uncertain geopolitical landscape.

There is growing pressure on the Government to reconsider its ban on new North Sea oil and gas exploration as energy prices rise and concerns increase over supply security. Recent polling indicates that around half of Britons support lifting the ban, particularly amid fears that international conflict, including tensions involving Iran, could disrupt energy supplies and drive up household costs. Public opinion also reflects strong backing for government intervention if energy bills continue to rise, with many calling for subsidies or increased taxation on energy companies to ease the burden on households. However, others warn that such measures could increase national debt and place further strain on public finances. Some argue that expanding domestic oil and gas production would strengthen economic resilience and reduce reliance on imports, while others maintain that new drilling would not significantly lower prices. Environmental groups continue to advocate for long-term investment in cleaner energy solutions instead. See

A groundbreaking new cancer trial is offering fresh hope to children and young people facing rare and aggressive cancers. The study, known as ‘Mighty’, will recruit up to sixty patients across the UK and the US to test CAR T-cell immunotherapy, a cutting-edge treatment which trains a patient’s own immune system to recognise and destroy cancer cells. With research centred at University College London, the trial focuses on cancers that are often resistant to conventional treatments. These include rhabdomyosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, and other soft tissue sarcomas, which primarily affect children and young people. Researchers say that childhood cancers behave differently from adult cancers, requiring more targeted and less harmful treatments. CAR T-cell therapy has already shown promise in some blood cancers and is now being explored for solid tumours. Experts believe this innovative approach could significantly improve outcomes, offering renewed hope to families where existing treatments have failed or cancer has returned.

A long-serving Waitrose employee has been offered a new job after being dismissed for confronting a shoplifter. Walker Smith, who had worked at the Clapham Junction branch for seventeen years, was sacked after intervening in the attempted theft of Easter eggs, which led to a brief struggle. He later expressed regret but said he acted out of frustration after witnessing frequent thefts over several years without being permitted to intervene. Lord Richard Walker, executive chairman of Iceland, publicly offered Mr Smith a job, praising his initiative. The case has sparked wider debate, with some politicians criticising Waitrose’s decision as unjust, while others emphasise the importance of prioritising staff safety. Waitrose maintains that its policies are designed to protect employees and customers, discouraging staff from engaging directly with shoplifters due to potential risks. The retailer stated that proper procedures were followed, including an appeals process.

A concerning rise in online sextortion cases among children in the UK has been revealed, with nearly 400 incidents reported to the Report Remove helpline last year - a 23% increase. Alarmingly, 98% of these reports came from boys aged 14 to 17, highlighting a significant and growing vulnerability among young males. Sextortion involves criminals coercing children into sharing sexual images and then blackmailing them - either for money or further content - under threat of exposure. The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) confirmed a sharp increase in overall reports of sexual imagery, with over 1,100 verified cases in 2025 alone. Experts warn that shame, fear, and isolation often prevent young people from seeking help, while the psychological impact can be severe and long-lasting. Encouragingly, increased reporting suggests growing awareness and willingness to seek support. There are calls for stronger safeguards, including technology to prevent image-sharing and better-targeted education to protect vulnerable children.

The Church of England is preparing to issue a formal apology for its involvement in forced adoptions which affected tens of thousands of unmarried mothers between 1949 and 1976. During this period, many women were sent to church-run mother and baby homes, where social stigma and institutional practices led to babies being taken for adoption, often without genuine consent. Testimonies from women such as Jan Doyle highlight the harsh conditions and lasting trauma experienced. Sent to a home as a pregnant teenager, she recalls physical hardship and emotional pain, with her son taken shortly after birth. They were only reunited decades later. A draft apology acknowledges the Church’s role in a system now recognised as harmful, expressing deep sorrow for the lifelong impact on mothers and children. Researchers and campaigners believe such an apology could help reshape understanding of this painful history and bring some measure of healing. Pressure is also increasing on the Government to issue its own formal apology.

In her Easter message to church leaders in the UK and worldwide, Archbishop Sarah Mullally reflects on how the story of Christ’s death and resurrection speaks powerfully into today’s troubled world. Referencing ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Sudan and the Middle East, she highlights the suffering of many, especially those displaced, oppressed or forgotten. She commends the churches in the Holy Land for their faithful witness under immense pressure, urging believers to stand with the marginalised and serve those in need. Drawing on Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s insight that 'only a suffering God can help’, she points to Jesus’ words in John 12:24 which show that through death comes life and fruitfulness. Christ’s resurrection is not merely a past event but a present, living reality that shapes Christian hope and mission. Like the signs of spring emerging at Lambeth Palace, Easter reminds us that new life follows suffering. Christians are therefore called to live as people of resurrection - marked by hope, courage, and confidence in the victory of Christ.

CofE bishops have shared Easter messages highlighting hope, renewal, and the transforming power of Christ amid global and personal challenges. Guli Francis-Dehqani, reflecting on a visit to the Holy Land, described the severe hardship faced by Christians in the West Bank, yet affirmed that Christian hope endures even in deep suffering. Other bishops pointed to both global conflict and local freedoms, with Michael Ipgrave giving thanks for the nation’s heritage of public Christian witness. In Newcastle, Helen-Ann Hartley drew on the city’s pilgrim history to illustrate the Easter journey of guidance, continuity, and good news. Jonathan Gibbs contrasted human self-interest with Christ’s self-giving love as the true path to peace and reconciliation. Hugh Nelson and Andy Emerton emphasised the resurrection as a powerful reality that overturns despair, offering forgiveness, restoration, and a new beginning. Together, their messages call believers to live as people of hope, shaped by the cross and resurrection. See

A planned six-day strike by resident doctors in England is set to go ahead after talks between the Government and the British Medical Association (BMA) broke down. In response, ministers have withdrawn a proposed package that included 1,000 additional training posts, which had been intended to help address workforce shortages. The Government stated that ongoing strike disruption made it impractical to implement the new posts this year. While officials described their offer as generous, including exam fee support and faster pay progression, the BMA argued that key elements had been weakened and did not adequately address long-term pay concerns. Despite a 3.5% pay rise being accepted following an independent review, the union maintains that doctors’ real-term earnings remain significantly below 2008 levels. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions over working conditions, staffing pressures, and the future sustainability of the NHS workforce. With resident doctors forming a large proportion of NHS staff, the strike raises serious concerns about patient care, service disruption, and long-term healthcare provision.